Building Boats
Is in the Blood.
Sydney H. Young
Building boats is in the blood of Sydney H. Young. His father Stanley C. Young started building boats in 1933 as StanCraft Boats in Lakeside, MT. Stan created some of the most iconic designs in boating history, including the 22′ Torpedo in 1944 — revolutionary for its time and still considered by classic boat enthusiasts as the most dramatic and pleasing torpedo ever built.
Syd began building boats at the young age of 14 under the tutelage of his father and various members of the StanCraft crew. From 1968–2008, Syd and his wife Juliette continued Stanley's legacy. Among Syd's contributions to the boating world are the 260 Norwester and the 19′ Veruna.
In 1981, they moved the company to Coeur d'Alene, ID, where Syd began building new StanCrafts on a small scale while restoring numerous Chris-Crafts, Garwoods, Rivas, Century boats, HackerCrafts, StanCrafts, and many others. Syd and Julie built a one-of-a-kind business known for its excellence in restoration, design, and craftsmanship.
Five Decades. One Standard of Excellence.
One of Syd's main focuses in the 1990s was designing boat bottoms to achieve better performance and a more enjoyable ride. His designs completely changed the future of wooden boats — delivering soft, level rides that no one had achieved before.
Each boat is crafted from the finest mahogany by a small, handpicked team of experienced woodworkers and mechanics — all committed to building the best of the best. Syd has designed and built over 40 custom designs in the Coeur d'Alene area alone over the past 35 years.
Our Values
Uncompromising Craft
We do not cut corners. Every joint, every plank, every coat of varnish is executed with the same precision and patience as the original builders who created these vessels.
Historical Integrity
We source period-correct materials and hardware from around the world to ensure every restoration is historically accurate — not merely cosmetically pleasing.
Transparent Partnership
You are involved at every stage. We document our work thoroughly and communicate openly, so you always know exactly what is happening with your vessel.
Legacy Preservation
These boats carry stories. We treat every commission as an act of preservation — ensuring that the craftsmanship and history of each vessel endures for generations.
Entrust Your Vessel to Those Who Care
We take on a limited number of commissions each year to ensure every boat receives the time and attention it deserves. We'd be honored to discuss yours.